Apparatus for necking-in can bodies

Abstract

Apparatus for necking-in an end portion of can bodies includes a rotatable turret. A plurality of circumferentially spaced clamping devices are provided on the turret, each for clamping a major portion of the outer circumferential surface of a can body between the opposite end edges thereof. The turret carries a corresponding plurality of circumferentially spaced spindles. Each spindle carries inner and outer forming rolls mounted on roll axes extending parallel to and spaced from the longitudinal axis of the spindle. The rolls are positioned adjacent the inner and outer surfaces of one end of a can body, the spindle is rotated, and the rolls are moved toward one another to neck-in the end portion of the can body as the turret rotates.

Description

DISCLOSURE

This invention relates to the art of machines for forming circumferential impressions in cylindrical metal bodies and, more particularly, to apparatus for necking-in the end of a cylindrical metal can body.

Apparatus has been provided heretofore for necking-in an end portion of a cylindrical open ended metal can body. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,424, issued Aug. 28, 1973, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, discloses an arrangement for necking-in end portions of can bodies with inner and outer forming rolls. The forming rolls are mounted on a support for independent idling rotation relative to one another. The inner roll is positioned within one end of the can body and is moved radially outwardly, and the outer roll is positioned outside the can body at the one end and is moved radially inwardly of the body to cooperate with the inner roll to reduce the diameter of the body adjacent the one end thereof by producing a radially inwardly circumferentially extending recess thereabout. In the arrangement of the aforementioned patent, a can body is supported by an internal mandrel and the can body and forming roll support are relatively rotated during the necking-in operation. The forming rolls are rotated by engagement thereof with the can body.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus is provided which includes forming rolls operable in the foregoing manner for necking-in can body ends and which, advantageously, provides for continuously producing can bodies in a manner which enhances high production rate with minimum production and maintenance costs. More particularly, apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a rotatable turret carrying a plurality of circumferentially spaced clamping devices, each adapted to clamp a major portion of the outer circumferential surface of a can body to support the body during the necking-in operation. In this respect, the clamping device holds the can body against deformation out of its cylindrical configuration during the necking-in operation.

In accordance with a preferred arrangement, the turret carries circumferentially spaced spindle assemblies, each of which is cooperatively aligned with a clamping device. Each spindle assembly includes a spindle which is rotatable relative to the turret and which carries inner and outer forming rolls for necking-in an end portion of a can body. The forming rolls are rotatable, as idler rolls, on axes extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spindle and spaced laterally therefrom so that the roll axes travel in circular paths about the longitudinal axis of the spindle during spindle rotation. The spindle is rotated during rotation of the turret and relative to the turret, preferably by an arrangement which enables control of the speed of spindle rotation and, accordingly, the metal forming speed.

The spindle assembly further includes a cam arrangement for progressively moving the forming rolls toward one another to neck-in an end portion of a can body in a manner which avoids wrinkling of the can material. In a preferred embodiment, the cam arrangement includes an axially reciprocable cam rod in each spindle having cam surfaces cooperable with cam followers on pivotal levers which support the forming rolls. During rotation of the turret, the cam rod is displaced axially so that the cam surfaces thereon operate through the cam followers on the pivotal levers to shift the levers and thus the rolls toward one another to neck-in an end portion of a can body.

During rotation of the turret through one complete revolution about its axis, a can body is received and held by a clamping device, the forming rolls are positioned relative to the can body end and are rotated as a unit and radially displaced relative to the can body to achieve necking-in thereof, the forming rolls are retracted from the end of the can body, and the formed can body is discharged from the turret.

An outstanding object of the present invention is the provision of improved apparatus for necking-in an end portion of a can body.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus of the foregoing character which enables the necking-in of end portions of can bodies at a high rate of speed.

Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus for necking-in end portions of can bodies in a manner which avoids wrinkling of the material of the can bodies.

A further object is the provision of apparatus of the foregoing character which includes a unique spindle structure of relatively simple construction, and which is rotatable as a unit about a support axis and at the same time is rotatable about its own axis and actuated to perform a necking-in operation.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of apparatus for necking-in end portions of can bodies which is efficient in operation, is operable at a high production rate, and minimizes production and maintenance costs.

The foregoing objects, and others, will in part be obvious and in part pointed out more fully hereinafter in conjunction with the written description of a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional elevation of the apparatus taken along line 3--3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation view of a clamping device of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the clamping device illustrated in FIG. 5, the section being along line 6--6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a detail view of the clamp links and pins taken along line 7--7 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged plan view of a spindle assembly of the apparatus;

FIG. 9 is a side elevation view, partially in section, of the spindle assembly, the section being along line 9--9 in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end elevation view of the spindle taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9; and,

FIG. 11 is a displacement diagram for certain components of the apparatus during one complete revolution of the turret.

Referring in greater detail to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention, apparatus for necking-in end portions of can bodies in accordance with the present invention is illustrated generally in FIGS. 1 and 2. In this respect, the apparatus includes a frame 10 which supports a can body supporting and forming assembly 12 for rotation relative thereto. Assembly 12 includes a turret which carries a plurality of can body clamping devices 14 and pairs of spindle assemblies 16 on axially opposite sides of the clamping devices. Can bodies to be necked-in are introduced into the apparatus downwardly through an input chute 18, and formed cans are discharged from the apparatus through a discharge chute 20. As will be described more fully hereinafter, can bodies to be formed are transported to and picked up by clamping devices 14 as the clamping devices rotate past an input station and, after forming, are discharged from the clamping devices and transported to the discharge chute as the clamping devices rotate past a discharge station.

With further regard to FIGS. 1 and 2, the apparatus includes a speed reducer unit 22 driven by a motor 24 through a suitable belt arrangement to rotate assembly 12 clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2, and motors 26 and 28 are provided for rotating spindle members of the spindle assemblies 16 disposed on corresponding sides of clamping devices 14, as set forth more fully hereinafter.

With regard in general to the operation of the apparatus, assembly 12 is continuously rotated, and a can body is delivered to and clamped by each clamping device 14 as the latter moves past the input station of the apparatus. As assembly 12 rotates toward the output station, opposed spindle assemblies 16 are extended toward and positioned relative to the adjacent ends of the can held in the corresponding clamping device, and forming rollers associated with the spindle assembly are acutated to achieve necking-in of the opposite ends of the can body by translating the forming rolls about the periphery of the can body ends. As a clamping device and the associated spindle assembles approach the discharge station, the spindle assemblies are retracted axially from the can body ends and the clamping device is actuated to release the formed can body for transportation thereof from the discharge station to discharge chute 20.

The general arrangement and structure of the components of the apparatus, including those referred to hereinabove, will be better understood from the illustrations in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 of the drawing. With regard to these FIGS., it will be seen that frame 10 includes a base portion 30 adapted to rest on a support surface, such as a floor, and axially spaced apart upright portions 32 and 34 at opposite ends of base portion 30. Upright portions 32 and 34 support rotatable can body supporting and forming assembly 12 for rotation relative to frame 10 and, in this respect, a pair of pillow blocks 36 and 38 are mounted on upright portions 32 and 34, respectively, to rotatably support a turret shaft 40. Turret shaft 40 has an end 42 extending beyond pillow block 38 and suitably coupled with the output of speed reducer 22 so as to be driven thereby. Speed reducer 22 has an input shaft 44 which is adapted to be rotated by drive motor 24 through an endless belt 46. A hand wheel 48 is coupled with input shaft 44 to provide for manual rotation of turret shaft 40.

A clamp and spindle assembly support turret 50 is mounted on and keyed or otherwise interconnected with turret shaft 40 for rotation therewith. In the disclosed embodiment, turret 50 is comprised of a pair of substantially identical turret members 52 centrally interconnected, such as by nut and bolt assemblies 53, so as to be rotatable as a unit with shaft 40. Each turret member 52 includes radially outwardly extending arm portions 54 having axially extending support flanges 56 at the outer ends thereof. Arm portions 54 of the two turret members are axially spaced apart to provide a space therebetween for receiving can body clamping devices 14 which are mounted on one of the turret members, as set forth more fully hereinafter.

A plurality of mounting brackets 58 are bolted or otherwise secured to arm portions 54 of each turret member 52 in circumferentially spaced apart relationship with respect to one another. Circumferentially adjacent brackets 58 are cooperable, as set forth more fully hereinafter, to support a spindle assembly 16 for rotation with the turret and axial displacement relative thereto. Each bracket 58 includes a bottom plate 60 supported on flange 56, an upstanding wall 62 at the axial inner end of bottom plate 60 and by which the bracket is secured to arm portion 54, and an upstanding wall 64 at the axial outer end of bottom plate 60. Walls 62 and 64 are provided with axially aligned pairs of openings for spindle assembly pins 66 and 68 which are spaced apart and parallel to one another and suitably fastened in the bracket openings against displacement therefrom. Spindle assembly 16 will be described in greater detail hereinafter, but for purposes of the showings in FIGS. 3 and 4, each spindle assembly includes a housing 70 having opposed pairs of arms 72 extending radially outwardly adjacent the axially opposite ends of the housing. Arms 72 are apertured to slideably receive pins 66 and 68, whereby the spindle assembly is supported between adjacent brackets 58 for sliding movement relative thereto and generally parallel to the axis of turret shaft 40.

Each clamping device 14 is operable to clamp a can body C in coaxial alignment with a corresponding pair of opposed spindle assemblies 16. It will be appreciated therefore that the number of clamping devices 14 corresponds to the number of opposed pairs of spindle assemblies 16 disposed about the periphery of turret 50. The structure of the clamping devices will be described in greater detail hereinafter, but for the purpose of the showings in FIGS. 3 and 4, each clamping device includes a mounting bracket 74 adapted to be bolted or otherwise secured to arm portion 54 of either one of the turret members 52 so that the clamping device is positioned centrally therebetween.

Each spindle assembly 16 is adapted to be shifted toward the corresponding end portion of can C for the forming rolls associated with the spindle assembly to engage and neck-in the corresponding end of the can, as described more fully hereinafter. Reciprocation of each spindle assembly relative to the corresponding turret member 52 is achieved by a cam follower 76 mounted on housing 70 and extending radially inwardly of the turret axis, and cam members 78 and 80 supported by frame 10 of the apparatus. Cam follower 76 includes a pair of rollers 82 and 84 mounted on housing 70 by means of a pin 86 which supports the rollers for rotation relative thereto. Cam member 78 includes a cam face 88 engaging roller 82, and cam member 80 includes a cam face 90 engaging roller 84. Cam members 78 and 80 are annular ring elements supported in axially spaced apart relationship by means of a frame member 92 to which the cam members are bolted or otherwise secured. Frame member 92 surrounds turret shaft 40 adjacent the corresponding one of the frame uprights 32 and 34, and is secured to the corresponding upright such as by bolts 94 extending through a mounting flange 96 on the upright and into corresponding threaded recesses in frame member 92.

It will be appreciated that rotation of turret shaft 40 rotates each cylinder assembly 16 about the turret axis, and that the axial positions of opposed cam faces 88 and 90 operate to axially position spindle assembly 16 relative to the corresponding clamping device 14. Cam surfaces 88 and 90 are appropriately contoured to achieve movement of the spindle assemblies 16 between an extended position in which the forming rolls are cooperably positioned axially of the corresponding can end and a retracted position in which the forming rolls are axially spaced from the corresponding can end. Moreover, the contours of cam faces 88 and 90 provide for the extended and retracted movements of assemblies 16 to occur at predetermined points during rotation of the turret.

As set forth more fully hereinafter, each spindle assembly 16 includes a spindle rotatable relative to housing 70 to achieve rotation of the forming rolls about the periphery of the corresponding end of a can held by clamping device 14. To achieve such rotation, the end of the spindle opposite the end facing can C is provided with a spindle gear 98 keyed or otherwise mounted on the spindle against rotation and axial displacement relative thereto. An annular sun gear 100 is mounted on frame member 92 and is supported by a suitable bearing assembly 102 for rotation relative to the frame member 92 and about an axis which coincides with the axis of turret shaft 40. The teeth of sun gear 100 are disposed in meshing engagement with the teeth of spindle gear 98, whereby rotation of sun gear 100 imparts rotation to the spindle shaft.

Sun gear 100 is adapted to be driven by the corresponding one of the motors 26 and 28. In this respect, an annular drive gear 104 is bolted or otherwise mounted on each sun gear 100 for rotation therewith. Gear 104 is adapted to be driven by a pinion 106 having a shaft 108 rotatably supported relative to the corresponding one of the frame uprights 32 and 34. Pinion 106 is rotatable through a sheave 110 interconnected with the corresponding one of the drive motors 26 and 28 by an endless belt 112. It will be seen therefore that each of the sun gears 100 is rotatable independently of the other through the corresponding drive motor, whereby the speed of rotation of the spindles of the corresponding spindle assemblies can be controlled independently. It will be further seen that the sun gear and spindle drive gear arrangements, being separate from the drive arrangement for the turret, provide for varying the speed of rotation of the spindles and thus the forming rolls to achieve a desired forming speed. While this arrangement is preferred, it will be appreciated that sun gears 100 could be fixed against rotation relative to frame member 92, whereby the spindles would be rotated by the engagement between gears 98 and 100 and in response to rotation of the turret and thus the spindle assemblies relative to the frame. Moreover, it will be appreciated that arrangements for rotating the spindles, other than such gear arrangements, can be employed.

As described more fully hereinafter, each spindle assembly includes a cam rod reciprocable relative to the corresponding spindle to displace the forming rolls radially relative to one another. The cam rod extends axially outwardly beyond spindle gear 98 and is provided on its outer end with a cam follower in the form of a roll 114 adapted to engage cam surface 116 of a cam member 118 supported by the corresponding one of the frame uprights 32 and 34. Cam member 118 is an annular component mounted on the frame in coaxial relationship with respect to the axis of turret shaft 40, and cam surface 116 is contoured peripherally of the cam member to provide for the desired axial displacement of the cam rod within the spindle assembly, as explained more fully hereinafter.

With regard now in particular to FIG. 3, input chute 18 for can bodies to be formed delivers the can bodies to the upper end of an inclined spiral feed screw 120 which is rotated to transmit and properly space cans for the sequential delivery thereof to an input star wheel 122. Star wheel 122 is located at the input station of the apparatus and is rotated and coordinated with rotation of the turret to deliver can bodies sequentially to clamping devices 14 as the latter rotate past the input station. Frame 10 of the apparatus supports and arcuate clamping cam 124 which extends circumferentially of the input and output stations and is operable as set forth hereinafter to open the clamping device when it reaches the output station and to close the clamping device about a can body received therein at the input station. As the turret rotates from the input station toward the output station the opposite ends of the clamped can are formed, and as the turret approaches the output station cam 124 operates to open the clamping device for discharge of the formed container onto output star wheel 126 which rotates to transfer the can body to output chute 20 for discharge from the apparatus. The details concerning input and discharge of can bodies to the clamping device does not form a part of the present invention, and it will be appreciated that many arrangements can be employed to achieve the input and discharge functions.

The structure and operation of clamping devices 14 will be best understood with reference to the illustrations in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawing. It will be seen from these Figures that the bracket portion 74 which is bolted or otherwise secured to one of the arm portions 54 of the turret includes a pair of arms 130 extending radially outwardly of the turret in circumferentially spaced apart relationship to provide a radial slot 132 therebetween which is open at the outer ends of the arms. A slide bracket 134 is mounted on arms 130 such as by bolts 136. Slide bracket 134 includes a pair of circumferentially spaced apart legs 138 interconnected at their radially outer ends by bridging portion 140, and closed at the radially inner ends thereof by an end plate 142 which is suitably interconnected with the corresponding ends of the legs such as by threaded studs 144. A slide member 146 is disposed between legs 138 and is supported thereby for sliding movement radially of the turret. In this respect, the circumferentially opposite slides of slide 146 are provided with recesses 148 and the corresponding inner faces of legs 138 are provided with guide and support ribs 150 received in recesses 148.

Slide member 146 of the clamping device is provided with a pair of cam follower arms 152 which are suitably interconnected with one another and with the slide member, such as by threaded studs 154 extending through openings in one of the cam follower arms and the slide and into threaded engagement with corresponding threaded openings in the other of the cam follower arms. The radial inner end of slide 146 is provided with a recess 156, and the radial outer end of end plate 142 is provided with a recess 158 in alignment with recess 156. A compression spring 160 has its opposite ends disposed in recesses 156 and 158 and is oeprable to bias slide 146 radially outwardly of the turret for the purpose set forth hereinafter.

Clamping device 14 further includes a pair of arcuate clamping members 162 and 164 which are supported by slide bracket 134 for pivotal movement between open and closed positions relative to one another. Each clamping member preferably has an arcuate extent of about 180.degree., whereby the clamping members together are adapted to completely surround a can body disposed therebetween. The radial inner end of each clamping member is defined by an axially and circumferentially uninterrupted cradle portion 166 having an arcuate extent of about 90.degree., and the radial outer end of each member is defined by a pair of axially spaced fingers 168. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the clamping members are adapted to engage a substantial portion of the circumferential outer surface of a can body disposed therebetween. To facilitate the holding of a can body against axial and/or rotational displacement relative to the clamping members, the inner surfaces thereof may be provided with lining strips 170 of a suitable gripping material, such as rubber.

Each clamping member is mounted on bridging portion 140 of slide bracket 134 for pivotal movement about an axis generally parallel to the turret axis. In this respect, clamping member 162 is provided with axially spaced plates 172 rigidly connected thereto and provided with an aligned pair of openings adapted to receive a link pin 174, and a second pair of aligned openings adapted to receive a pivot pin 176. Similarly, clamping member 164 is provided with axially spaced plates 178 which are rigidly interconnected therewith and provided with an aligned pair of openings for a link pin 180 and a second pair of aligned openings for receiving pivot pin 176. Bridging portion 140 of slide bracket 134 is provided with a circumferentially narrow nose 182 which is apertured to receive pivot pin 176. Plates 172 and 178 of clamping members 162 and 164 are disposed on one side of nose portion 182, and plates 172 and 178 of the clamping members are disposed on the opposite side of nose portion 140. Accordingly, the several plates and thus clamping members 162 and 164 are supported by nose 182 and pin 176 for pivotal movement about the axis of pin 176 which is parallel to the turret axis.

Pivotal movement is imparted to clamping members 162 and 164 by means of corresponding link members having opposite ends pivotally interconnected one with either link pin 174 or link pin 80 and the other with a link pin 184 which is parallel to link pins 174 and 180 and supported on slide 146 by cam follower arms 152. More particularly, the axially opposite ends of arms 152 are provided with radially extending portions 186 which, together with slide member 146, are apertured to receive link pin 184. A pair of link members 188 have their corresponding opposite ends pivotally interconnected one with link pin 174 and the other with link pin 184. Similarly, a pair of link members 190 have their corresponding opposite ends pivotally interconnected one with link pin 180 and the other with link pin 184. Accordingly, displacement of links 188 and 190 radially inwardly of the turret pivots clamping members 162 and 164 clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, about pivot pin 176, as viewed in FIG. 5 of the drawing, to open the clamping device.

Displacement of links 188 and 190 radially inwardly of the turret is achieved by clamping cam 124 illustrated schematically in FIG. 6 and discussed hereinabove with regard to FIG. 3. In this respect, a pair of follower rollers 192 are mounted on link pin 184 between links 188 and 190 and portions 186 of cam follower arms 152. Clamping cam 124 is supported by the apparatus frame and includes a pair of arms having arcuate cam faces 194 which are adapted to be engaged by follower rollers 192 during rotation of the turret as described hereinabove. When rollers 192 first engage cam surfaces 194 in the direction of turret rotation, the cam surface contour provides for the rollers to displace slide 146 radially inwardly of the turret against the bias of compression spring 160, whereby clamping members 162 and 164 are pivoted to the open positions thereof. As follower rollers 192 approach the opposite end and then leave cam surface 194, spring 160 biases slide 146 and thus link pin 184 radially outwardly of the turret to pivot the clamping members to the closed position thereof.

The structure and operation of spindle assemblies 16 will be best understood with reference to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 of the drawing. Portions of the spindle assembly described hereinabove in connection with the showings in FIGS. 3 and 4 are identified by like numerals in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10.

Housing 70 of the spindle assembly is a tubular structure open at its opposite ends. The opposed pairs of arms 72 at the opposite ends of the housing cooperate with slide rods 66 and 68 to mount the spindle assembly on the turret for rotation therewith and to support the spindle assembly against rotation relative to the turret and for reciprocating sliding movement axially of the turret. As described hereinabove, reciprocation of housing 70 and thus the spindle assembly is achieved through the cooperation of a cam follower assembly 76 and axially opposed and radially offset cam members 78 and 80 between which the follower assembly is disposed.

A spindle 200 is axially positioned and rotatably supported within housing 70 by bearing assemblies 202 and 204 at opposite ends of the housing. Spindle 200 has an end 206 extending axially outwardly from housing 70 and spindle drive gear 98 is keyed or otherwise mounted on end 206 of the spindle to rotate the spindle as described hereinabove. A lock nut or the like 208 retains drive gear 98 in a fixed axial position relative to the spindle.

The other end 210 of spindle 200 carries a forming roll unit 212 including an outer male forming roll 124 and an inner female forming roll 216, which rolls are cooperable to neck-in the end portion of a can as described hereinafter. Forming rolls 214 and 216 are rotatable about corresponding axes which are parallel to one another and to spindle axis A, and the rolls are pivotal toward and away from one another about an axis perpendicular to the roll axes and spindle axis A. In this respect, end 210 of spindle 200 is provided with a pair of spaced apart arms 218 which are apertured to receive and support a pivot pin 220 having an axis transverse to spindle axis A. An upper roll support arm 222 is mounted intermediate its opposite ends for pivotal movement about pin 220. More particularly, arm 222 includes an upstanding end 224 to which outer roll 214 is attached, an intermediate portion defined by spaced apart legs 226 which are apertured to receive pivot pin 220, and an inner end 228 which overlies spindle axis A.

A control lever 230 is pivotally mounted on pin 220 and is provided with a nose portion 232 underlying front portion 224 of lever 222. Control lever 230 is provided with a cam following roller 234 at its inner end, and a compression spring 236 is interposed between control lever 230 and the spindle housing to bias the control lever clockwise about pin 220 as viewed in FIG. 9. It will be appreciated that portion 228 of roller lever 222 is apertured for spring 236 to freely pass therethrough. A compression spring 238 is interposed between portion 228 of roller lever 222 and the inner end of control lever 230 to bias roller lever 222 counterclockwise about pivot pin 220. It will be seen, therefore, that counterclockwise displacement of control lever 230 operates through compression spring 238 to pivot roll lever 222 counterclockwise to move outer roll 214 toward inner roll 216. It will be further seen that nose portion 232 of the control lever limits counterclockwise movement of roll lever 222 relative to the control lever, and that compression spring 238 permits clockwise displacement of roll lever 222 relative to the control lever when the forming rolls are in the positions illustrated in FIG. 9. Relative movement of the latter character is advantageous in that it prevents undesirable wrinkling of the material of the can or the imposition of undesirable stresses on the forming roll assembly during a necking-in operation.

An inner roll lever 240 is mounted intermediate its opposite ends for pivotal movement about pin 220. More particularly, lever 240 includes a front portion 242 to which inner roll 216 is attached, an intermediate portion defined by spaced apart legs 244 which are apertured to receive pivot pin 220, and an inner end 246. End 246 extends under control lever 230 and is provided with a cam follower roller 248 underlying roller 234 on the control lever. A compression spring 250 is interposed between inner end 246 of lever 240 and a plate 252 mounted on end 210 of the spindle, and spring 250 is operable to bias roll lever 240 counterclockwise about pin 220 as viewed in FIG. 9. It will be seen, therefore, that displacement of lever 240 clockwise about pivot pin 220 moves roll 216 toward outer roll 214 against the bias of compression spring 250.

Forming rolls 214 and 216 may be provided with any desired peripheral contour designed to cooperably form the end portion of a can C interposed therebetween. To achieve the best rolling contact of the forming rolls with a can body during rotation of spindle 200, rolls 214 and 216 are mounted on corresponding roll axes which are parallel to spindle axis A and which are laterally offset to the same side of a vertical line through axis A. More particularly, presuming in FIG. 10 that the spindle rotates counterclockwise, upper roll axis 214A is laterally offset from spindle axis A in the direction opposite the direction of rotation, and roll axis 216A is similarly offset with respect to the spindle axis. Rolls 214 and 216 can be mounted on the corresponding portions of the upper and lower lever arms in any suitable manner and, in the embodiment illustrated, the mounting is achieved by axle studs 254 and 256, each forming roll being mounted on the corresponding axle stud for idling rotation relative thereto.

As described hereinabove, the clamping devices position a can body C for the axis of the can body to coincide with spindle axis A. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that roll axes 214A and 216A are positioned relative to spindle axis A for the outer peripheries of the forming rolls to properly engage the can wall during the necking-in operation. During such operation, rollers 214 and 216 are rotated as a unit by spindle 200, and engagement of the rollers with the inner and outer surfaces of the can body causes the rollers to rotate relative to one another. To further facilitate proper positioning of a can end relative to the rollers, a stop wall 258 is supported by the spindle so as to engage and locate can body C axially with respect to rollers 214 and 216. Further, a counterweight 260 is supported by the spindle at a location diametrically opposite the forming rolls to provide rotational balance for the spindle.

Prior to engagement of forming rolls 214 and 216 with a can end to achieve necking-in thereof, levers 226 and 240 are pivoted clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively, about pivot pin 220 to move rollers 214 and 216 away from one another so that the can end can be received therebetween. As mentioned hereinabove, the rolls are then displaced toward one another to perform the necking-in operation. Displacement of the rolls toward one another is achieved by means of a cam rod 262 disposed within spindle 200 for axial displacement relative thereto. The axis of cam rod 262 coincides with spindle axis A, and suitable bearings 264 and 266 are provided at opposite ends of the spindle to support the cam rod for sliding movement relative thereto. Cam rod 262 has a nose portion 264 disposed between follower rollers 234 and 248. The top side of nose portion 264 is provided with cam surfaces 266, 267, 268, 269 and 270 along which roller 234 is adapted to roll, and the bottom side of nose portion 264 is provided with cam surfaces 272, 273 and 274 along which roller 248 is adapted to roll.

When the cam rod is in the position illustrated in FIG. 9, cam surfaces 270 and 274 position the corresponding roll levers for forming rolls 214 and 216 to be fully closed with respect to one another. It will be seen that by displacing cam rod 262 to the right in FIG. 9, rollers 234 and 248 ride along the corresponding cam surfaces to progressively pivot the corresponding lever arm and forming roll about pivot pin 220 to move the forming rolls away from one another. During movement of the cam rod in this manner, compression springs 236 and 250 bias the corresponding lever arms to pivot about pin 220 to move the forming rolls away from one another. When cam rod 262 has been axially displaced for follower rollers 234 and 248 to engage cam surfaces 266 and 272, respectively, the forming rolls are in fully spaced relationship relative to one another.

Displacement of cam rod 262 to the right in FIG. 9 is achieved by means of a compression spring 276 which surrounds the rod and has one end fixed with respect to a spindle shoulder 278 and the other end abutting a shoulder 280 on the cam rod. A dowel pin 282 has its opposite ends fixed with respect to spindle 200 and extends through a longitudinal slot 284 provided in cam rod 262. Pin 282 and slot 284 cooperate to provide for the cam rod to rotate with spindle 200 and to permit limited longitudinal movement of the cam rod relative to the spindle.

Movement of cam rod 262 to the left in FIG. 9 from the retracted position thereof to the position illustrated is acieved as described hereinabove by means of cam follower roller 114 mounted on cam rod 262 and cam member 118 mounted on the apparatus frame. More particularly, follower roller 114 is part of a follower assembly including a housing 286 which surrounds end portion 288 of cam rod 262. Housing 286 includes a pair of spaced apart arms 290 which are apertured to receive a roller pin 292 for mounting roller 114 on the housing. Bearing assemblies 294 and a thrust bearing assembly 296 support housing 286 for rotation relative to end portion 288 of cam rod 262. It will be appreciated that cam follower roll 114 must be held against rotation relative to the spindle and that cam rod 262 must rotate with the spindle and thus relative to roller 114. The foregoing bearing arrangement provides for the relative rotation between the cam rod and follower roller, and housing 286 is provided with a laterally extending arm 298 slideably interengaging a rod 300 which is fixed to one of the spindle housing arms 72. Thus, arm 298 and rod 300 cooperate to restrain rotation of housing 286 and thus follower roller 114 during rotation of spindle 200.

As described hereinabove, cam member 118 has an annular cam surface 116 engaged by follower roller 114. As illustrated in FIG. 8, cam surface 116 is contoured about the periphery thereof to provide axially stepped surface portions 116A through 116E which are cooperable with follower roller 114 to provide the desired axial displacement of cam rod 262 at an appropriate point during rotation of the turret about its axis. With the spindle assembly components in the positions thereof illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, follower roller 114 engages cam surface portion 116A to position cam rod 262 such that follower rollers 234 and 248 engage cam surfaces 270 and 274, respectively, of the cam rod. With the cam rod in this position the forming rollers are positioned to complete the necking-in operation.

Following completion of the necking-in operation, rotation of the turret carries the spindle assembly and thus follower roller 114 along cam surface 116 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 8, whereby the roller moves from surface portion 116A onto surface portion 116B under the bias of compression spring 276. The axial distance between cam surfaces 116A and 116B provides for cam rod 262 to move to the right in FIG. 9 a distance which positions follower rollers 234 and 248 on cam surfaces 266 and 272, respectively, to fully space rolls 214 and 216 away from one another. The degree of incline between surfaces 116A and 116B provides for the cam rod displacement and spacing of rolls 214 and 216 to occur rapidly. Spindle 200 is then axially displaced to the right in FIG. 9 to withdraw the rollers from the can end, such axial shifting being achieved by cam follower roller 82 mounted on spindle housing 70 and cam 78 on the apparatus frame. Cam 118 is provided with a cam surface portion 116C stepped axially away from the corresponding end of cam follower roller 114 to permit axial shifting of the spindle without the shifting of the cam rod relative thereto and to the left in FIG. 9. The latter shifting would of course result if follower roller 114 remained at the level of cam surface 116B.

As the turret continues to rotate, the finished can body is discharged from the corresponding clamping device and a can body to be necked-in is picked up by the claming device. Thereafter, spindle 200 is displaced to the left in FIG. 9 by cam follower roller 84 on spindle housing 70 and cam 80 on the frame. This displacement positions the spaced apart forming rollers 214 and 216 outside and inside the can end. Displacement of the spindle to the left in FIG. 9 carries follower roller 114 to the left therewith and, accordingly, cam 118 is provided with a cam surface 116D which inclines from surface 116C toward the spindle. Surface 116D provides for follower roller 114 to maintain contact with the cam but without axial displacement of cam rod 262 which at this time is positioned with cam surfaces 266 and 272 engaging follower rollers 234 and 248.

As the turret continues to rotate, follower roller 114 engages and moves along cam surface 116E which is gradually inclined toward the spindle assembly to displace cam rod 262 to the left in FIG. 9. Such displacement of cam rod 262 first provides for follower roller 234 to engage cam surface 267 and for follower roller 248 to engage cam surface 273, whereby forming rolls 214 and 216 are moved toward one another and into engagement with the can wall to initiate the necking-in operation. The spindle is of course rotating constantly whereby rolls 214 and 216 are translated around the can periphery for the engagement thereof with the can wall to rotate the rolls to cooperate in deforming the can material. As the turret continues to rotate, cam rod 262 is further displaced to the left in FIG. 9 to move follower roller 234 onto cam surface 268, whereby forming roll 214 idles in its movement toward forming roll 216. As cam rod 262 is further displaced to the left, follower roller 234 engages surface cam 269, whereby forming roll 214 is again moved toward roll 216. Finally, cam rod 262 reaches the position illustrated, whereby the forming rolls are both idled in movement toward one another and are fully closed with respect to one another.

The foregoing operation is of course repeated each time a can body to be formed is received and clamped in a corresponding clamping device. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the opposed pairs of spindle assemblies 16 provide for the opposite ends of a can body to be necked-in simultaneously during one complete rotation of the turret about its axis. The opposed spindle assemblies are of identical structure as are the coresponding cam follower and cam members provided to achieve axial displacement of the spindle and axial displacement of the cam rod.

The sequence of operation of the clamping device and spindle assemblies during one complete rovolution of the turret about its axis will be more clearly understood from the displacement diagram of FIG. 11, which is a plot of the various functions which take place with respect to degrees of rotation of the turret from a zero reference point between the input and discharge stations of the apparatus. In the latter position of the turret, a radial line throught the turret axis and a spindle axis is substantially horizontal. In the displacement diagram of FIG. 11, line 310 designates the closed relationship between the clamping members of clamping device 14, and line 320 represents an imaginary line between the outermost and innermost surfaces of forming rolls 114 and 116 when the latter are in the fully closed position with a can body disposed therebetween, the imaginary line extending in a direction perpendicular to the roll axes. Line 330 represents the fully retracted position of cam rod 262 and in which follower rollers 234 and 248 engage cam surfaces 266 and 272 of the cam rod, and line 340 represents the fully retracted position of the spindle and in which position the forming rolls are axially spaced from the corresponding end of a can body held by the clamping device.

At the 0.degree. position of turret rotation, the spindle is in the fully retracted position thereof, cam rod 330 is in its fully retracted position relative to the spindle, the outer and inner forming rolls are spaced apart, and the cam body clamping device is open. The center line for the intake station corresponds to about 25.degree. of turret rotation, and prior to the turret reaching this position a can body is received in the clamping device and closure of the clamping device proceeds so that the can body is nearly fully clamped when the turret reaches the 25.degree. position. At the 25.degree. position, spindle displacement cams 78 and 80 cooperate with the spindle housing follower to initiate displacement of the spindle toward the corresponding end of the clamped can body. During this positioning of the spindle, the cam rod moves therewith and accordingly is displaced a corresponding distance. At about 50.degree. of rotation of the turret, the spindle is in its fully displaced position whereby the outer and inner forming rolls are disposed outwardly and inwardly of the end portion of the clamped can. Preferably, can clamping cam 124 actuates the clamping device to slightly release the can body between about the 40.degree. to 60.degree. point of turret rotation so that movement of the opposed spindles toward the corresponding can ends operates to assure proper positioning of the can body therebetween.

The necking-in operation begins at about 50.degree. of turret rotation. In this respect, displacement of cam rod 262 from its retracted position towards its extended position relative to the spindle is initiated by cam 118. In FIG. 11, line 322 represents displacement of outer roll 214 toward the inner roll, and line 324 represents displacement of inner roll 216 toward the outer roll. Line 332 represents the axial displacement of cam rod 262 relative to the spindle. It will be seen that from the 50.degree. position of the turret to about the 109.degree. position thereof the outer and inner forming rolls move gradually toward one another as follower rollers 234 and 248 on the forming roll levers move along cam surfaces 267 and 273 respectively of cam rod 262. At about 109.degree. of turret rotation, follower roller 234 reaches cam surfaces 268 whereby outer forming roll 214 dwells in its movement toward the inner forming roll. At the same time, follower roller 248 is in engagement with cam surface 273 whereby the inner forming roll 216 continues to be displaced toward the outer forming roll. It will be seen from line 332 that axial displacement of cam rod 262 relative to the spindle is uniform as a result of the linear contour of the inclined camming surface 116E of cam member 118.

At about 197.5.degree. of turret rotation, follower roller 248 has reached cam surface 274 of the cam rod representing the extent of maximum displacement of the inner forming roll toward the outer forming roll, and cam surface 274 provides for the inner roll to dwell in this position. At the same position of turret rotation, follower roll 234 engages cam surface 269 of cam rod 262, whereby dwell of the outer forming roll is terminated and the latter is again displaced toward the inner roll. At about 270.degree. of turret rotation, follower roll 234 engages cam surface 270 representing the extent of maximum displacement of the outer roll toward the inner roll, and at this time the outer roll dwells together with the inner roll to achieve ironing of the formed end of the can body.

The inner and outer forming rolls idle in the closed positions thereof for a period of about 20.degree. of turret rotation from the 270.degree. position thereof to achieve ironing of the formed can end. At about 285.degree. of turret rotation cam rod 262 starts its return movement relative to the spindle, and at about 290.degree. of turret rotation return movement of the cam rod initiates movement of the inner and outer forming rolls toward the spaced apart positions thereof. At the 310.degree. position of the turret the cam rod is fully retracted and the forming rolls reach the fully spaced apart positions thereof.

Further, at the 310.degree. position of the turret, retraction of the spindle begins together with displacement of the cam rod therewith, and at about 355.degree. of turret rotation the spindle and cam rod are in the fully retracted positions which provide for the forming rolls to be axially spaced from the corresponding end of the formed can body. The 355.degree. position of the turret corresponds to the center line of the discharge station, and just prior to the turret reaching this position the can clamping cam operates to open the clamping device for release of the formed can. The clamping device then remains in the fully open position for the remainder of the cycle of turret rotation, the forming rolls remain in the spaced apart positions thereof, and the spindle and cam rod remain in the fully retracted positions thereof.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that rotation of the turret is continuous and that each clamping device and the corresponding spindle assemblies on the turret operate in the foregoing manner to continuously receive, form and discharge container bodies during turret rotation.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the fact that the turret supports opposed pairs of spindle assemblies for simultaneously necking-in the opposite ends of a can body clamped therebetween, it will be appreciated that the turret can carry a clamping device and a corresponding spindle assembly for forming just one end of a can body, or that the apparatus disclosed herein can be operated to form just one end of the can body. In the latter respect, for example, spindle assemblies 16 on one side of the clamping devices are readily removable from the turret by the removal of the slide pins 66 and 68. Alternatively, cam rod 262 can be removed from the spindle assemblies whereby the forming rolls would be maintained in the spaced apart positions thereof and would not engage the corresponding end of a can body during spindle rotation. Further, while considerable emphasis has been placed on the specific structure of the components of the apparatus illustrated in the drawings, it will be appreciated that the specific structures can readily be modified without departing from the principles of the present invention. Accordingly, as many embodiments of the present invention may be made and as many changes may be made in the preferred embodiment herein illustrated and described, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the present invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for necking-in an end portion of a substantially cylindrical can body having a longitudinal axis, inner and outer substantially cylindrical surfaces and opposite end portions comprising: a frame, a turret rotatably supported by said frame, a plurality of circumferentially spaced can body receiving and clamping means each carried by said turret for clamping the outer cylindrical surface of a can body between said end portions thereof, a corresponding spindle on said turret for each clamping means and having a longitudinal spindle axis substantially coincidental with the longitudinal axis of a can body clamped in the corresponding can body receiving and clamping means, means supporting said spindle for rotation relative to said turret and axial displacement relative to said turret between retracted and extended positions with respect to an end portion of said can body clamped in said corresponding clamping means, said spindle having inner and outer forming rolls supported thereon for rotation about roll axes and for relative displacement of said rolls toward and away from one another, said roll axes being spaced from one another and from said spindle axis, said inner and outer rolls in said extended position of said spindle receving said end portion of said can body therebetween, means to rotate said turret and spindle, and means operable in response to turret rotation to axially displace said spindle between said retracted and extended positions and to displace said rolls toward one another when said spindle is in said extended position for said rolls to neck-in said end portion of said can body, said rolls being connected with said spindle by levers pivotal about lever axes extending substantially perpendicular to said spindle axis, said means to displace said rolls toward one another including cam follower means on said levers, first cam means axially displaceable relative to said spindle and cooperable with said follower means to pivot said levers and thus said rolls, and second cam means on said frame for axially displacing said first cam means.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said second cam means is operable to displace said first cam means in one direction to pivot said levers and move said rolls toward one another, and means biasing said first cam means in the direction opposite said one direction.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first cam means includes a cam rod generally coaxial with said spindle, said one and opposite directions being axially of said cam rod, and said biasing means is spring means biasing said cam rod in said opposite direction.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, and means biasing said levers in directions for moving said rolls away from one another.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said first cam means includes an elongated cam rod mounted on said spindle, said cam rod having stepped cam surfaces on one end thereof and cam follower means on the other end thereof, said cam surfaces cooperating with said cam follower means on said levers to progressively displace said rolls toward one another when said cam rod is displaced in said one direction, said second cam means including a cam surface for engaging said cam follower means on said other end of said cam rod and progressively displacing said cam rod in said one direction.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said biasing means is first spring means biasing said cam rod toward said second cam means, and second spring means biasing said levers in directions for moving said rolls away from one another.

7. Apparatus for necking-in an end portion of a substantially cylindrical can body having a longitudinal axis, inner and outer substantially cylindrical surfaces and opposite end portions comprising: a frame, a turret rotatably supported by said frame, a plurality of circumferentially spaced can body receiving and clamping means each carried by said turret for clamping the outer cylindrical surface of a can body between said end portions thereof, a corresponding spindle on said turret for each clamping means and having a longitudinal spindle axis substantially coincidental with the longitudinal axis of a can body clamped in the corresponding can body receiving and clamping means, means supporting said spindle for rotation relative to said turret and axial displacement relative to said turret between retracted and extended positions with respect to an end portion of said can body clamped in said corresponding clamping means, said spindle having inner and outer forming rolls supported thereon for rotation about roll axes and for relative displacement of said rolls toward and away from one another, said roll axes being spaced from one another and from said spindle axis, said inner and outer rolls in said extended position of said spindle receiving said end portion of said can body therebetween, means to rotate said turret and spindle, means operable in response to turret rotation to axially displace said spindle between said retracted and extended positions and to displace said rolls toward one another when said spindle is in said extended position for said rolls to neck-in said end portion of said can body, said means to axially displace said spindle between said retracted and extended positions including cam follower means interconnected with said spindle and spindle cam means on said frame engaging said cam follower means to displace said spindle in response to turret rotation, said means supporting said spindle for rotation and axial displacement relative to said turret including a housing, bearing means rotatably supporting said spindle within said housing, and means supporting said housing on said turret for sliding movement in the direction of said spindle axis, said cam follower means interconnected with said spindle being fixed on said housing, whereby said housing and thus said spindle is axially displaced during turret rotation.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said forming rolls are connected with said spindle by levers pivotal about lever axes extending substantially perpendicular to said spindle axis, said means to displace said rolls toward one another including cam follower means on said levers, first cam means axially displaceable relative to said spindle and cooperable with said follower means to pivot said levers and thus said rolls, and second cam means on said frame for axially displacing said first cam means.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said spindle is tubular and said first cam means includes an elongated cam rod mounted in said tubular spindle and coaxial therewith, said cam rod having stepped cam surfaces on one end thereof and cam follower means on the other end thereof, said cam surfaces cooperating with said cam follower means on said levers to progressively displace said rolls toward one another when said cam rod is displaced in one direction, said second cam means including a cam surface for engaging said cam follower means on said other end of said cam rod and progressively displacing said cam rod in said one direction.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, and first spring means biasing said cam rod toward said second cam means, and second spring means biasing said levers in directions for moving said rolls away from one another.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said can body receiving and clamping means includes a pair of arcuate clamping members supported for pivotal movement between receiving and clamping positions relative to one another about pivot axes extending substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said can body, cam follower means on said clamping members, clamp member cam means on said frame and having a cam surface engaged by said follower means on said clamping members during a portion of one revolution of said turret to pivot said clamping members to said receiving position, and spring means operable to move said clamping members to the clamping position during the remainder of said one revolution.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said means to rotate said spindle includes first gear means, means supporting said first gear means for rotation relative to said frame about an axis concentric with the axis of said turret, second gear means in meshing engagement with said first gear means and mounted on said spindle for rotating said spindle in response to rotation on said first gear means, and means to rotate said first gear means relative to said frame.

13. The apparatus according to claim 11, including shaft means supporting said turret for rotation therewith relative to said frame, first gear means concentric with said shaft means and supported for rotation relative to said shaft means, second gear means in meshing engagement with said first gear means and mounted on said spindle for rotating said spindle in response to rotation of said first gear means, said means to rotate said spindle and turret including means to relatively rotate said shaft means and said first gear means.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said means to relatively rotate said shaft means and first gear means is corresponding and separate motor means.

15. Apparatus for necking-in can bodies comprising: a rotatable spindle having a longitudinal axis inner and outer forming rolls, means mounting said rolls on said spindle for rotation therewith and for idling rotation relative thereto about roll axes extending substantially parallel to said spindle axis and laterally spaced therefrom, said mounting means further supporting said rolls for displacemenet of said roll axes and said rolls toward and away from one another, spindle drive means for rotating said spindle about said spindle axis to move said roll axis in circular paths about said spindle axis, actuating means including cam means displaceable axially of said spindle for moving said rolls toward and away from one another during rotation of said spindle, said rolls being mounted on levers pivotal relative to said spindle about said axes extending substantially perpendicular to said spindle axis, said cam means including an elongated axially shiftable cam rod on said spindle and having cam surfaces, said levers having lever cam followers cooperable with said cam surfaces on said cam rod for moving said rolls toward one another during axial movement of said cam rod in one direction, said actuating means further including means biasing said rolls to move away from one another during axial movement of said cam rod in the direction opposite said one direction, and means for moving said cam rod in said one and opposite directions.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15, wherein said spindle includes a tubular member and said cam rod is axially reciprocable within said tubular member, said roll levers being positioned at one end of said tubular member, said cam rod having an actuating end extending axially from the other end of said tubular member, a tubular housing, said spindle being in and coaxial with said housing, said ends of said tubular member extending axially outwardly from the corresponding ends of said housing, and means supporting said tubular member in said housing for rotation relative thereto.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16, and further including means for supporting a can body in coaxial alignment with said spindle axis and with an end of said can body facing said one end of said tubular member, and means supporting said housing for reciprocating movement in the direction of said spindle axis between a first position in which said rolls are axially spaced from said can end and a second position in which said rolls receive said can end therebetween.